Balsa USA Stingray 120 Kit Build

[earthsciteach]

The only other kit I've built is a balsa wing and tail for my Slot Stick and it was a laser cut kit so It fit together like a puzzle and you dribble thin CA in the seams...super easy. This is working out to be just as easy and much less messy since it goes together mostly with carpenters wood glue.

I'm using magnets mostly and T-pins where necessary so I had a piece of 20 gauge sheet metal cut to cover a hollow core door propped up with saw horses.

Thinking I may need more table space, I picked up one of these workbenches from Harbor Freight. I had a 25% off coupon so I got it for $119. It's hardwood and I glued all the joints and screw holes to make it more stable.

Oh, man... Now you're making me twitch! Must have that workbench!

 

[xuzme720]

Somehow I knew you'd missed the first posts, Teach! But for the record, me too, on the bench!

 

[bicyclemonkey]

Holy Cow!

Nice job. What type of glue are you using?

Thanks! I'm using yellow Elmer's wood glue. Pretty much just plain old carpenters glue. I have some Titebond II that I'm going to use when I'm out of the Elmer's.

 

[roversgonemad]

So here's the specs. Give me some electric motor recommendations.

The proper electric motor for this plane is the one you use to start the 1.2 4 stroke glow engine on the plane I have a hobbico and a sullivan, they are both great!!!

 

[bicyclemonkey]

The proper electric motor for this plane is the one you use to start the 1.2 4 stroke glow engine on the plane I have a hobbico and a sullivan, they are both great!!!

Lol, quite right! My 1.20 4-stroke has already been assigned to my Tiger Moth project. There's a chance I may go fuel still. My initial thoughts were electric since I have a Sig Four Star 120 which is a very similar plane with a G23 gas engine.

 

[Joker 53150]

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on this kit, looking great so far!

 

[lonewolf7717]

It'll have room for an 18" prop.

Fortunately at this size your list of brushless conversion candidates gets pretty narrow. Which means you won't be loosing sleep over which motor to go with. Eflite power 110 or Rimfire 1.20....both will swing 16-18" just fine. This is getting a tad out of comfort level so far as brushless is concerned, maybe someone else can chime in. Casual observation, I wouldn't be able to afford the lipos required.

 

[bicyclemonkey]

I think I should be able to fly this on 6s. I was considering a Power 110 equivalent (like the Taco 110 from HobbyPartz) but that's an 8-10s motor. I just want the plane to be sprightly, I don't want to rip the wings off. My first thoughts were in the 400kv range. that would give me 1400+ watts which would be around 150w/lb. I have a TURNIGY 50-65A 400kv laying around I was going to put in my Senior Telemaster.

 

[bicyclemonkey]

Making progress on the right wing.

 

[bicyclemonkey]

Got the right wing panel all ribbed and sparred.

 

[lonewolf7717]

Amazes me sometimes how well balsa holds up to decades in a box, typically in far less that ideal climate controlled conditions.

 

[bicyclemonkey]

Amazes me sometimes how well balsa holds up to decades in a box, typically in far less that ideal climate controlled conditions.

It's true! Both the spars on the right wing were warped but the magnets held everything in the correct position while the glue dried.

 

[Joker 53150]

I really like the magnet and metal board idea. I've seen it a few times in the past but haven't priced up the pieces yet. I have a large sheet of 16 gauge metal sitting in the garage, I think I need to put it to good use!

Where'd you get the magnets?

 

[bicyclemonkey]

I really like the magnet and metal board idea. I've seen it a few times in the past but haven't priced up the pieces yet. I have a large sheet of 16 gauge metal sitting in the garage, I think I need to put it to good use!

Where'd you get the magnets?

http://www.magnetsource.com/airfieldmodels/

http://airfieldmodels.com/informati...lders/tools/magnetic_building_board/index.htm

 

[bicyclemonkey]

OK, yeah, it's a big wing lol.

 

[510thousandths]

That's going to take alot of monokote!

 

[bicyclemonkey]

That's going to take alot of monokote!

I think you're right! Luckily I inherited a bunch of monokote. I only hope I have enough of each color so it doesn't end up looking like a patchwork quilt.

 

[bicyclemonkey]

Harbor Freight Work Bench

Before:

After:

 

[lonewolf7717]

Now you are just showing off. Everyone to respond to this thread likes your plane but loves your table. Fortunately i have a Harbor Freight here locally, can lose a whole day in the place. Actually, should be noted....Harbor Freight is the reason I'm here today....if anyone remembers the Wild Hawk for $59 with coupon. Thats where is all started for me, back in the day walking uphill in the snow.

 

[lonewolf7717]

going to do anything about those sharp snaggy bits at the corners?